SCIENTISTS AT Opexa Therapeutics have developed an autologous stem cell therapy regime for treating patients with diabetes.
Pre-clinical data confirmed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from the blood of healthy and diabetic patients were capable of differentiating into pancreatic islet-like cells. The cells, which secrete insulin, glucagon and somatostatin, also showed high levels of C-peptide, a by-product of insulin synthesis.
 "Opexa has developed a proprietary adult stem cell technology to produce pancreatic islet-like stem cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These islet-like cells can be derived from the patient's own blood, expanded ex vivo, and then administered to the same patient," Opexa CEO Neil K Warma told The News. "Our novel multi-potent stem cell is derived from peripheral blood monocytes which, when cultured under defined conditions, appear to be able to further differentiate into several cellular lineages. Molecular biology and immunohistochemical studies have shown that these islet-like stem cells have specific markers that distinguish them from other stem cells."
According to Warma, Opexa plans to futher develop monocyte-derived stem cell technology for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.
"One of the key advantages of Opexa's stem cells is the ability to easily derive them from an individual's circulating monocytes, expand and administer them back into the same patient. This autologous approach potentially provides a method that may overcome any rejection issues and the need for immunosuppressant drugs, which are often associated with current transplantations," said Warma.
Warma explained that diabetes is a disease characterised by the failure of pancreatic β-cells to generate sufficient levels of insulin required for normal nutrient homeostasis.
"Type 1 diabetes is caused by the complete loss of pancreatic β-cells when the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys a person's β-cells. While for Type 2 diabetes the causes are far more complicated and poorly understood, the results of the disease are similar in that often the β-cells fail to generate sufficient amounts of insulin to maintain normal homeostasis. The loss of insulin results in an increase in blood glucose levels and will eventually lead to the development of premature cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney failure," added Warma.
|